Becoming Lotus

Send us Fan MailStories Hidden in Plain Sight: One Woman's Journey Beyond SurvivalWhat if one of the most inspiring stories you've ever heard was sitting right in front of you?In this powerful Season 2 finale of Becoming Lotus, I sit down with Nadia Lendel—a woman I met through an ordinary encounter that became an extraordinary conversation.What began as a simple introduction revealed a story of courage, resilience, reinvention, and unwavering determination.Before arriving in Canada, Nadia had built a successful career in healthcare in Ukraine, working in a busy hospital while running her own thriving private practice. Then war changed everything.Faced with the unimaginable decision to leave her home, her career, and the life she had spent years building, Nadia chose to begin again. With two children, two suitcases, and a belief that a better future was possible, she arrived in Canada ready to rebuild her life from the ground up.In this heartfelt conversation, Nadia shares her journey from healthcare professional to newcomer, from uncertainty to opportunity, and from survival to creating a life filled with purpose once again.Together, we explore:• The reality of leaving home during a time of war• Starting over in a new country and learning to adapt• The courage required to rebuild a career and identity• Motherhood, sacrifice, and resilience• Why nothing we experience in life is ever wasted• The power of self-belief and continuing to move forward• The wisdom behind Nadia's philosophy that "moving is continuing life"More than anything, this episode is a reminder that every person we meet has a story. Stories of struggle. Stories of hope. Stories of becoming.Sometimes all it takes is a simple question to uncover them.As we close Season 2, I invite you to remain curious. Strike up a conversation. Ask a question. Listen deeply.You never know what story might be hidden in plain sight.Thank you for being part of this journey. I'll see you in the fall for the next chapter of Becoming Lotus.Until then, have a beautiful summer filled with growth, learning, connection, and adventure.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailThere are moments in life when something deep inside us starts asking questions we can no longer ignore.Am I really happy?Am I living authentically?What truth am I avoiding by telling myself “I’m fine”?In this solo episode of Becoming Lotus, Tamara explores the quiet tension between comfort and truth, and the courage it takes to listen to what we already know beneath the surface.Inspired by a recent conversation, Carl Jung’s powerful quote about the unconscious mind, and even the surprising wisdom behind Heart Rate Variability (HRV), this episode dives into the connection between our nervous system, our inner truth, and the life we are creating in the spaces in between.This is a conversation about:complacency and self-honestythe stories we tell ourselvesvulnerability and emotional awarenesslistening to the body’s signalsunlocking new versions of ourselvesand trusting what rises to the surface when we finally stop suppressing itBecause maybe the coin never really decides anything.Maybe it only reveals what we already knew.And maybe the truth we keep pushing down isn’t there to disrupt our life…Maybe it’s there to guide it.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to live by choice… not default?In this episode of Becoming Lotus, I sit down with Matt Sochon—coach, mentor, founder of the Sochon Method, and someone who played a pivotal role in my own journey of pushing beyond what I thought I was capable of.Just over a year ago, I stepped into Matt’s world in Dubai—completely outside of my comfort zone—and that experience became a catalyst for everything that followed. This conversation is a full-circle moment.Together, we get into what it’s like living—“smack dab in the middle of a war zone”—and the perspective that comes with that reality.We also explore what women often underestimate in themselves, and open up a powerful conversation around masculinity—challenging outdated stereotypes and redefining strength through vulnerability, authenticity, and personal responsibility.Matt is someone who embodies edification—the act of uplifting, encouraging, and bringing out the best in others—and it’s something you’ll feel throughout this conversation.This episode is an invitation to stop living by default… and start living with intention.Because your life is happening now—and you get to choose how you show up in it.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when life forces you to start over…and you actually listen?In this episode of Becoming Lotus, I sit down with Jessie Thomas, founder of Farm Girl Fitness—an anomaly in the fitness world and a space that has become so much more than a gym.Set on an 88-acre farm, workouts take place in a converted barn, out in the fresh air, and within a community that values connection over comparison.After losing her job during the pandemic, Jessie didn’t have a plan…but she started anyway.What began with four people, hay bales, and uncertainty has grown into something rare—a space where people don’t come to shrink themselves, but to expand into who they are.We talk about:Starting before you feel readyWhy fear is often the beginning—not the barrierThe truth about competition (it’s you vs. you)How consistency quietly changes everythingAnd why what you build in fitness carries into every part of your lifeThis isn’t just about workouts.It’s about identity.It’s about showing up.It’s about becoming.If you’ve ever thought “I don’t know if I can do this”…this episode is your reminder that maybe you can.📍 The next DEKA event at Farm Girl Fitness is May 3rd.Come compete—or just come watch and feel the energy. You might surprise yourself.Because it’s never too late to start.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailIn a world that can often feel heavy and uncertain, it’s easy to get caught in the noise of headlines, social media, and the pressures of everyday life. But what if the moments that help steady us are the ones we’re most likely to overlook?In this episode of Becoming Lotus, Tamara reflects on the quiet power of the extraordinary ordinary — the small, often unnoticed moments that can shift our perspective and restore a sense of balance.From the simple act of listening to birds on a spring morning, to the unexpected healing found in pulling invasive weeds during a difficult season of grief, Tamara explores how nature, pause, and presence can help us reclaim our footing when life feels uncertain.Drawing inspiration from the writings of Anne Frank during World War II, this episode reminds us that even in the darkest chapters of history, people have found ways to notice the beauty that still remains.If the world has been feeling heavy lately, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, look up, step outside, and tune into a different frequency — the one where the extraordinary ordinary lives.Because even the smallest moments can be opportunities to make it count.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailLife will throw curveballs we never see coming. The question isn’t if they will arrive — it’s whether we will be strong enough — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — to meet them when they do.In this deeply personal episode, Tamara shares the story behind one of the hardest podcasts she’s ever written — a week when life interrupted her plans, forced her into stillness, and ultimately revealed a different kind of wisdom. Dedicated to her beloved Australian shepherd Calvin, this episode explores love, loss, preparedness, and the quiet strength required to live fully right up until the end.Drawing on her experiences in palliative care, midlife reinvention, and her unexpected journey into hybrid racing, Tamara reflects on the concept of “training for life” — building resilience, vitality, and inner capacity long before the hard moments arrive. She introduces the idea of a “muscle bubble,” a protective field of strength created through movement, discipline, and self-care that helps us stay standing when life hits hardest.This conversation isn’t really about racing.It’s about being ready to live… and ready to love… no matter what comes.An invitation to examine your own life, your strength, and the gift of time — and to consider how you are preparing for the moments that will matter most.💛 Dedicated to Calvin — healer, protector, and deeply loved companion. Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailA Conversation on Authorship, Happiness, and Becoming — with My DaughtersIn this special episode of Becoming Lotus, I’m joined by two of my favourite humans — my daughters, Grace and Julianna.This conversation is about authorship — of our lives, our choices, and the stories we tell ourselves. We talk about happiness, intention, and what it means to realize that no matter where you are in life, the pen is still in your hands.This episode was born from laughter, honesty, and the kind of conversations I always hoped would live on — not just for my girls, but for anyone who needs the reminder that you’re not behind, you’re not stuck, and it’s never too late to choose again.Whether you’re navigating change, questioning what’s next, or simply craving a deeper conversation, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and remember that you are still the author of your story.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailSeason One Finale: The Bridge — Becoming the VisionThis final episode of Season One is an invitation to stand at the edge of who you’ve been… and take a step toward who you are becoming.We explore the power of visualization, the images that shape our identity, and the inner bridge each of us must cross to meet our future self.You’ll hear stories, science, guided reflection, and the behind-the-scenes evolution of this podcast — and of me.This is the work of becoming:One breath.One image.One step closer to the vision you hold within.Thank you for walking this bridge with me.Season Two awaits.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailWhen we stop gripping who we were, we create space for who we’re becoming.In this episode, I explore the spiritual symbolism of mirrors and broken glass, a powerful lesson on non-attachment from the Yamas & Niyamas, and three stories — from Ted Lasso, from my own life, and from a client — that remind us what happens when we finally learn to let go. Sometimes freedom is as simple as releasing the banana… and trusting the timing of the swing.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailToday’s conversation is one that will stay with you long after you’ve listened — the kind of episode you’ll want to share with someone who’s on the edge of their next chapter.In this episode, I sit down with Keka Dasgupta, award-winning brand strategist, TEDx speaker, gratitude researcher, and the founder of The Art of Life-ing. After years in corporate branding, Keka shifted her focus to something deeper — helping people understand that our most powerful brand is not what the world sees, but what we believe about ourselves.Together, we explore how identity is shaped from the inside out, how gratitude becomes a grounding force in moments of reinvention, and why aligning your inner truth with your outer expression is one of the most courageous things you can do.We talk about the art of “life-ing,”and the evolution of becoming.I won’t apologize for this episode being a little longer than expected, because every moment is rich, generous, and filled with insight and wisdom.Enjoy every single minute.Follow  @kekadasgupta or visit www.artoflifeing.com Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailThe strongest thing you can lift is yourself.“Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” — Eckhart TolleThis isn’t a story about fitness — it’s a story about awakening.What began as a 12-week “transformation challenge” became a lifelong practice of strength, awareness, and gratitude. A journey that is about so much more than aesthetics.It’s about honouring the gift of time… and a body that can still move.This episode is a reminder that transformation begins the moment you wake up to what’s possible — and that the most rewarding thing you can lift in your life… is yourself.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailSome of the most powerful stories we hold are the ones we don’t think we have.The ones found not in grand triumphs or dramatic moments, but in the quiet, ordinary places of life.  What if it's a story that could change someone else’s life?In this episode, Tamara shares three stories that reveal what it truly means to own your journey — from a friend who found her voice, to a client who met her future self, to her own lesson in radical ownership when life changed out of the blue.It’s about perspective, resilience, and leading yourself through the storms you never saw coming. Because while we can’t control the waves, we can always choose how we meet them. If you have a story you’d like to share that might resonate with our listeners, reach out. We can all learn from one another.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailSometimes life brings people into our path in the most unexpected ways. In this episode of Becoming Lotus, I sit down with Jennifer Brouwer—founder of Whilewoods Retreats  Though Jennifer and I had never met, our lives seem to be running in parallel: both of us are passionate about elevating women, transformation, and creating spaces for personal growth.Today we talk about reinvention in midlife, what it means to rise because of your story (not in spite of it), and how unlikely connections can feel like divine alignment. Jennifer also shares about her upcoming book Fuckery Free 50s and the power of choosing authenticity as we step into new chapters.This is a conversation about healing, empowerment, and sisterhood—proof that the right people show up at the right time.A reminder that when we lift women up, we rise together—fill the bucket, be the ripple.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailWhat would happen if you paused today and asked your 75-year-old self for advice?In this first-ever guest episode of Becoming Lotus, Tamara sits down with Rachel Lapensee for a conversation that is nothing short of beautiful—filled with wisdom, perspective, and heartfelt stories. Together, they explore the lessons that only time and lived experience can bring—about purpose, resilience, joy, and what really matters most.This episode is an invitation to reflect on your own life: how you’re living now, and how the choices you make today shape the future you’ll look back on. Thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply human, it’s a conversation you won’t want to miss.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailMidlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a doorway. In this episode, Tamara O’Shaughnessy reframes menopause and midlife as a portal into awakening, reinvention, and possibility. A powerful reminder that it’s never too late to create the next evolution of you.Midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a portal. In this episode, Tamara O’Shaughnessy reframes menopause and midlife as a doorway into awakening, possibility, and reinvention. This is a season where we can step more fully into our power, peel back old roles, and create the next evolution of who we are meant to be. You’ll hear:Why midlife is a beginning, not an endingHow menopause can spark transformation and strengthThe shift from “crisis” to “curiosity” and reinventionThis is your reminder that the second half of life can be your strongest, boldest, and most joyful chapter yet.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailWhat if a simple shift in perspective could change everything? In this episode, Tamara O’Shaughnessy explores the power of reframing—choosing to see challenges through the lens of gratitude, growth, and possibility. Discover how positivity, practiced with intention, can shape the way you live and who you become.What if the way you frame your experiences could completely change the way you live? In this episode of Becoming Lotus, Tamara O’Shaughnessy explores the power of reframing—choosing to see challenges through the lens of possibility, growth, and gratitude. By shifting perspective, we can turn pain into purpose, loss into wisdom, and everyday moments into opportunities for joy. You’ll hear:How reframing unlocks resilience and inner strengthWhy positivity is more than “good vibes”—it’s a practiceReal-life examples of turning setbacks into stepping stonesThis is your invitation to look at your own story differently—and discover the extraordinary power of the lens you choose.Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin 

Send us Fan MailIn this debut episode of Becoming Lotus, Tamara O’Shaughnessy shares a powerful vision of infinite potential and introduces the woman who inspired it all—her mother, affectionately called The Velvet Steamroller. A story of resilience, legacy, and the reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.Inside each of us lives a golden seed—our infinite potential. No matter our age or what we’ve been through, it’s never too late to plant it and begin again.In this first episode of Becoming Lotus, Tamara O’Shaughnessy invites you into a powerful vision that set the stage for her own transformation—and introduces you to the woman who inspired it all: her mother, Jude, affectionately known as The Velvet Steamroller.This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the legacy of love that continues to guide Tamara’s life and work.  Tamara weaves together lessons on living with intention, embracing change, and finding beauty in even the messiest places of life. In this episode:The vision that revealed Tamara’s golden seed of potential.Why her mother embodied both velvet softness and unstoppable strength.How grief, gratitude, and growth are all part of becoming.If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to begin again, this episode is your reminder: it’s not. You are not too late. You are not alone. You are Becoming Lotus. Until next time—keep rising, keep blooming, and keep soaking it all in.  If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and it would be greatly appreciated if you would  take a moment to write a review.  Subscribe to Becoming Lotus so you never miss an episode.📖 Explore my book I AM LOTUS and my life coaching offerings at tamaraoshaughnessy.com  Instagram – @soakingitallin